Electrolysis And Construction Standards

The Building Development Institute ( hereinafter BRE) does not recognize the use of electrolysis. In the BRE book, Understanding Humidity Effects, Causes, Diagnosis and Treatments, we read the following:

“There are two different technologies: active and passive, none of them have been approved by any recognized laboratory. For now, the largest number of systems used are passive, i.e. those that do not receive electricity. “

The operation of electrolysis remains a mystery, its effectiveness has not been demonstrated in the laboratory and the field tests have been disappointing. An external source of electricity is used in active electrolysis systems.

Electrolysis operation

Types of treatment by electrolysis:

For passive electrolysis installations a continuous electrode is installed in the walls at the height of the sealing barrier and the system is also connected to the ground by grounded rods fixed to the ground

In the case of active electrolysis a potential is applied between the sealing barrier and the floor, or between the sealing barrier and another set of wall electrodes at a different height.

Electrolysis installation kit

The passive installation is based on the fact that a wet wall contains electrical potential and in theory when connecting the wall to earth we avoid the rise of humidity. The existence of an electric potential in a wall with humidities can be demonstrated, however, when this load is caused by the motions and humidity the electrolysis technology can provoke a stimulating effect by increasing its humidity problems.

The facilities inspected by the BRE include the applications of plasters, which themselves are a barrier against moisture. This leads to the suspicion that the successes are more related to the application of mortars than to electrolysis.

Electrolysis installation

Currently passive electrolysis installations are anecdotal although thousands of installations have been performed in the past. The active systems try to make use of real electrolysis, forcing the movement of moisture through porous materials under the influence of an electric field. The experience of the users has not been very encouraging and there continues to be the application of plasters to contain moisture.

The BRE has audited different installations, noting that the facilities have not solved condensation problems and in others partial failures have been observed in the system, suggesting that electrolysis treatments do not always work.

Based on the recommendations of dry home BRE has decided not to apply electrolysis technologies as it is not a technology that guarantees the solution of moisture problems.